The mother of Saoirse Ruane, who inspired the annual Late Late Toy Show appeal, has told her daughter’s funeral there is an “enormous void in our hearts” that will never be filled.
The 12-year-old, from Kiltullagh, died at her home on Tuesday, years after she was diagnosed with cancer.
The youngster won the nation’s hearts when she appeared on the Toy Show during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and spoke about her fight with cancer.
She had been diagnosed with a rare form of the disease and had to have her right leg amputated.
She inspired the launch of the Toy Show Appeal, which has led to millions of euros being raised.
An online post last week said Saoirse died peacefully at her home in the arms of her heartbroken parents, Ollie and Roseanna.
During the funeral mass, Roseanna said that following a relapse last year, her family were given the devastating news that her time was short.
“Saoirse surpassed all expectations,” she added.
“She always remained positive and looked to the future, and we ensured that she never knew she was going to die.
“In the lead up to her final months, I spent a lot of time looking at her, taking in every freckle, her envious long curly brown hair, her blue eyes that seeped with kindness and I was mesmerised by her attitude to survive.
“I couldn’t help but wonder how did you face the battle of cancer at the tender age of seven? How do you accept that is your life and fight every single day to win your life back?
“We loved her so much. Our first child together. To speak of her in the past tense feels so wrong after speaking about her in the present for 12 whole years.
“She was a perfect child and turned into a beautiful-looking girl.
“The day her consultant sat us down and said she had cancer changed everything.
“In life, you are meant to protect your children but we couldn’t protect her from this.
“Saoirse was brave and resilient and fiercely determined.”
President Higgins has sent his deepest condolences to the family of Saoírse Ruane from Kiltullagh, Co. Galway, following her passing at the age of 12. Saoírse's strength and warmth was an inspiration to all pic.twitter.com/aMyLZyqN8g
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) March 7, 2024
People lined up outside Saints Peter and Paul’s Church in Kiltullagh, while pupils from Saoirse’s Kiltullagh National School and members of a local GAA club formed a guard of honour outside the church.
The funeral cortege was led by two garda motorbikes.
Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy, who became a friend of Saoirse after she appeared on the RTÉ show, travelled from London to attend the funeral.
Addressing those gathered for the funeral, Fr Declan McInerney said Saoirse was now the “Saint of Kiltullagh”.
He also welcomed Col Stephen Howard, Aide-de-Camp of President Michael D Higgins, which he said provided comfort to Saoirse’s family.
In an Instagram post, her mother said on Sunday: “One last Mother’s Day with you before you go.
“So grateful to have you today Saoirse.”
In a social media post last week, Roseanna said: “When there are no words. After a long, courageous and dignified battle, our hearts are shattered to tell you our beautiful little Saoirse took her final breath in our arms on Tuesday.
“We thank you our lovely followers for holding Saoirse and us in your thoughts these past few weeks.
“We think of you all today also as we know how much Saoirse was loved by the nation and the effect she had on so many people’s lives.
“Cancer you stole her from us, the life we had and our dreams.
“Life will never be the same.”
A statement also said: “Saoirse, aged just 12 years old, was surrounded, as she has been throughout her illness, by the love, care and devotion of her family, the prayers and goodwill of the community in Kiltullagh and people all over the country who held Saoirse in their hearts.”
“Saoirse, adored daughter to Ollie and Roseanna, big sister to Farrah Rose, half-sister to Rebecca, granddaughter to Anne Ruane and Tony and Ann Brehony, an adored niece, cousin, family member and of course, best friend to Willow and Slush, was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure.
“A pupil of Kiltullagh National School, Saoirse will be missed but always remembered by her school friends and teachers, who have travelled the road with Saoirse on her journey, and were a source of joy and fun to her.”
Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy said: “We became friends instantly when we met. She told her story, the nation fell in love with her and a charity began because of her and with that, she helped enrich and encourage the lives of thousands of children in Ireland.
“A selfless, humble, kind, optimistic and thoughtful child.
“She was everything we should and could be as a country and her passing will put so much into perspective for so many of us.
“The world is a poorer place without Saoirse but I do hope that twinkle in her eye shines on and on.”
